Sipress to Remain as Duluth's Second District Councilor Despite Voting Error

The Duluth City Council has put an end to the uncertainty surrounding the second district seat appointment.

Last week, the Duluth City Council voted to appoint Joel Sipress to the post, replacing Patrick Boyle who stepped down after being elected to the St. Louis County Board.

But a memo to councilors from City Attorney Gunnar Johnson and City Clerk Jeff Cox, said the voting process that picked Sippress — ranked-choice voting — was done incorrectly.

And while the council acknowledges that the voting method was used incorrectly, there were not enough votes on Thursday to reconsider the appointment.

The resolution tied 4-4 with Sipress abstaining, meaning Sipress will remain as the second district councilor.

"Thank you to everyone who stood by me and supported me during this past week," Sipress wrote on his Facebook page. "I am happy that this controversy is behind us, and I am looking forward to working with all of my fellow councilors to do the business of the people of Duluth."